Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Winter 2022

This paper presents the conditional relative survival rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated prognostic factors in the Kerman province, the largest province in the south of Iran. Scince CRC is the fifth common cancer in this province, this study aimed to provide more detailed statistics on the survival rate of CRC patients.

This survival analysis study used the national population-based cancer registry data to estimate the survival rate in 1705 patients with CRC from 2007 to 2016. The Kaplan–Meier estimator and Log-rank test were used to plot survival curves and assess differences in survival rates. Univariate analysis and Cox proportional-hazards model were also used to determine association between CRC-related factors and patient survival.

The 5-year survival rate for patients with CRC was 51.9%. This rate was significantly higher in the stage with localized lesions compared with those of regional and distant (p<0.001). The survival rate in patients undergoing surgical treatment was higher than that of patients receiving chemotherapy (p<0.001). Increased age, low tumor differentiation, the stage with distant tumors, and right-sided colon cancer (RCC) were associated with lower survival (p<0.001).

The tumor stage was significantly correlated with the survival rate of patients. Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC in Iran and worldwide, the survival rate of patients in this study was low. Since many factors affect this rate, further studies are needed to identify its prognostic factors in Kerman

The World Health Organization (WHO) called for taking preventive measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Preventive behaviors are required when the risk is perceived. The present study aimed to investigate individuals’ preventative behaviors towards understanding and worrying about COVID-19 in the Iranian society.

This descriptive study was conducted on 342 respondents in the spring of 2021 using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of three sections of demographic questions about awareness and basic issues. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data. In addition, the chi-square test and the Spearman’s correlation coefficient were used to examine the association between questions and demographic variables.

The findings showed that 209 (61.1%) respondents wore masks outdoors at a very high level. Only 40 (11.7%) respondents observed social distance requirements (at least more than 1.5 meters) at a very low level. Besides, 309 (90.4%) respondents washed their hands properly thoroughly at moderate to very high levels.

COVID-19 Preventive behaviors among respondents was associated to their perception of and concerns over COVID-19 contraction, raising their awareness of the disease as well as promoting concerns over it in the society.

Scientists believe that the new coronavirus causing COVID-19 is airborne. It has been approved that wearing masks and hand washing prevent the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the association between wearing facemasks, hand washing, and COVID-19 contraction in the population of Tabriz, Iran.

In this analytical study, necessary information was collected via four online multi-optional questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, the COVID-19 virus, mask-wearing behaviors, and hand hygiene habits among 360 individuals (120 cases and 240 controls). Based on data normality, quantitative variables were reported as mean ± standard deviation or the median (min-max). In addition, the relationship between qualitative variables was evaluated by the Fisher’s exact test, and correlations were assessed by the Spearman's test.

Elderly individuals and their care seekers had fewer potentials for exposure to COVID-19 (p = 0.010), but healthcare workers were at a higher risk of contracting the virus than other occupations (p = 0.002). In addition, smokers were at a lower risk of the disease than other healthy people (p = 0.009). Furthermore, the incidence of COVID-19 was significantly higher among individuals not wearing facemasks than others (p = 0.007).

we concluded that wearing a facemask was more effective than hand washing and antiseptics in preventing the incidence of COVID-19 contraction; thus, people not wearing facemasks were at a higher risk of the viral infection.

The mining industry is one of the most challenging environments in terms of safety issues. This study aimed to investigate occupational hazards as well as to perform a risk assessment in Golgohar mine, Sirjan, Iran, (2021).

A descriptive study was conducted on jobs of 763 mining workers. A study checklist was used to collect the data. Job safety analysis method was used to identify hazardous job activities. The risks were assessed using the failure modes and effects analysis technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS and appropriate statistical methods were applied.  

The major risks identified were the throwing and falling of objects (13.93%), the slipping and falling of workers from heights (12.61%), vehicle accidents (11.19%), and dust inhalation (9.53%). The risks of all jobs were unacceptable (RPNs > 100), yet they were reduced to an acceptable level by applying interventions.

By the timely identifying and controlling of hazards, potential mining accidents can be prevented. Performing regular risk assessments and the periodic training of workers can help achieve this goal.

Understanding the way nurses' informatics competencies affect their mastery of professional competencies can help provide high quality care and design contents for continuing nursing education. This study aimed to determine the association between nurses' informatics and their clinical competencies.

A total of 150 nurses who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this descriptive study from three general public hospitals in Rafsanjan, Iran, using stratified random sampling method. Self-reporting data collection was performed applying three questionnaires of (1) personal and job characteristics, (2) the Self-Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies Scale (SANIC), and (3) the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN). Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and linear regression statistical tests at the significance level of 0.05, were applied.

Female nurses had higher CIRN scores than male ones (p = 0.027). The results of the Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a moderate significant positive association between SANIC and CIRN scores (r = 0.341, p = 0.001). Furthermore, results of the linear regression analysis showed that about 11% of the CIRN score was associated to the SANIC score (P = 0.001). After adjustment based on gender (p = 0.060) and education (p = 0.064), the correlation was not significant.  

Given the effect of gender and level of education, there was no significant association between Nursing Informatics Competencies and nurses’ competency. The level of application of informatics in nursing should be reviewed contextually.

Corona Virus Disease has posed a serious challenge to countries' healthcare systems at the present outbreak. Meanwhile, the healthcare providers' mental health has been affected. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers in a short period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A systematic search was conducted through Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and Embase databases, as well as preprint servers of medRxiv and SSRN, up to August 24, 2020.

This review comprised 69 articles with a total sample size of 108,931 individuals selected from medical staff. The pooled prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia were 37% (95% CI: 31 to 43%), 34% (95% CI: 29 to 38%), and 39% (95% CI: 25 to 53%), respectively. A subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia was higher in females and nurses than in others.

Findings indicated a high impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia among medical professionals involved in the crisis with a variety of territories and occupations of both genders.

Hearing loss is an occupational chronic disabling and is due to complex processes of numerous risk factors such as excessive noise, ototoxic agents, aging. We aimed to examine the concurrent effect of lead and noise on rats' noise hearing function as a sub-acute exposure.

In this experimental study, 40 male rats were divided into 4 groups as 1) control group 2) exposed to 105 dB noise at 4 kHz frequency 8h/day, 6day/week for 4 weeks 3) exposed to 4 mg/kg lead acetate by gavage 6day/week for 4 weeks 4) exposed to both lead and noise. Blood lead levels were evaluated by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. In addition, before and after exposure, the auditory brainstem response (ABR) was performed to examine the hearing loss in rats.

The hearing threshold at noise exposure (105 dB at 4 kHz frequency) group indicated a significant increase (10 dB and 11.5 dB with click and tone burst stimuli, respectively) compared to the control group (p<0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the lead concurrent noise-exposed group and the control group regarding the latency of waveform II with both stimuli (p<0.0001). There was a positive correlation between Blood Lead Level in lead-treated rats with Auditory Brainstem Response threshold by tone burst stimulus (r = 0739, p = 0.015).

we concluded that lead and noise have a synergistic effect and can exacerbate hearing loss. However, additional studies at various doses are needed to confirm this finding.

Stress is unavoidable in life, a common physiological reaction of the body to an adverse stimulus. Burnout is a physiological response to the failure to control stress efficiently. Dentistry students appear to be more prone to anxiety, depression, and burnout due to the va riety of stressful situations in their careers.

The current study had a descriptive cross-sectional design, carried out among 311 clinical and postgraduate scholars of a private dental college in Chennai in 2021. Data was collected through a convenient sampling method using a validated questionnaire obtained from the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The data was analyzed using SPSS 26 software and parametric tests were applied.

The results showed that about 41.5% of the participants felt emotionally drained after every day’s clinical work. About 52% reported that they never treated the patients as impersonal objects, and 37.3% stated they never became less sensitive towards people after taking up the dental profession. Females had significantly higher emotional fatigue scores than males, and depersonalization scores were highest among interns compared to other groups (p<0.05).

Students experience a considerable emotional burnout; however, it does not hinder the students' attitudes and practices towards patients' care and professional accomplishment. Necessary steps should be taken to reduce emotional fatigue, possibly further improving the students’ professional ability.

The professional quality of life (ProQOL) and occupational burnout are two central factors related to nurses' job performance. Nurses' job performance might be affected by work stress and compassion. In the present study, the association of ProQOL of nurses with burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress was investigated.

In this descriptive study, 282 nurses were invited to help with the survey. Demographics Scale, Maslach Burnout Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and ProQOL Questionnaire were used to collect the data.

Most participants have an average degree of compassion satisfaction (CS) (63.2%) and compassion fatigue (CF) (57.1%). Also, most nurses had low scores for occupational burnout (39.3%). A significant negative correlation was found between CS with CF (p < 0.001). Occupational burnout (p = 0.019), anxiety (p = 0.015), and depression (p < 0.008) subscales had a significant negative correlation with CS. There was a significant correlation between the CF and subscales of occupational burnout, anxiety, stress, and depression (p < 0.001). The CF predicted 18% of variance in CS (R2 = 18%) (p < 0.001). The CS, depression, and occupational burnout predicted 25% of variance in CF (R2 = 25%) (p < 0.001).

In this study, the CS, depression, and occupational burnout were important variables affecting the level of CF. Healthcare service leaders and nurse managers should make efforts promoting emotional wellbeing among nurses. Therefore, future studies need to pay more attention to the CF and its associated factors.